NEISD school bus driver is best in nation

By Lindsay Kastner :
July 18, 2012
: Updated: July 18, 2012 11:26pm

NEISD bus driver Michael Castaneda was just named the best in the nation after coming in second to a Canadian driver in the 42nd Annual School Bus Driver International Safety Competition in Milwaukee, WI.

Photo By Billy Calzada/San Antonio Express-News

NEISD bus driver Michael Castaneda was just named the best driver in the nation.

If you're looking for someone who can maneuver a school bus through a crooked alley and stop on a dime, Michael Castañeda's your man.

The North East Independent School District bus driver is the best in the nation and has the trophy to prove it, from the conventional bus category at the 42nd annual School Bus Driver International Safety Competition in Milwaukee last weekend.

The contest, which was started in 1971 as the National School Bus Safety Road-e-o, also includes “transit” and “small bus” categories. Castañeda came in second to a Canadian driver, making him the highest-scoring driver in the United States.

“We are so proud of Michael,” said Nolan Anderson, NEISD executive director of transportation. “He has done an outstanding job and is truly deserving of this recognition.”

The competition includes a written safety test and a 10-part obstacle course. Castañeda said drivers had to maneuver through rows of tennis balls with a 1.5-inch clearance on either side, demonstrate proper student loading procedures and stop as close as possible to a three-inch line without going over it.

The most difficult portion of the course? Parallel parking, he said.

To prepare, Castañeda spent a few hours each week running through a practice course the district set up. He competed in regional and state competitions before going on to represent Texas in the international event.

“You learn your bus like it's your left and right hand,” he said. “It really comes in handy during your route, believe it or not.”

Castañeda – whose routes include Madison High School, Harris Middle School, Steubing Ranch Elementary, and some pre-K runs – became a school bus driver after being laid off from his truck-driving gig.

At first, he said, it was hard to adjust to transporting kids instead of cargo.

“I said, ‘This is going to be a piece of cake,'” he said. “After about two months they had me on my knees.”

Once Castañeda figured out how to gain the respect of the kids, he said, he grew to love his job.

Now, after more than 12 years with the district, Castañeda said his competition record is known among students.

“I show them the trophies, and then they show me their bicycle rodeo trophies,” he said.